Chapter 13:
• Nature has made men relatively equal in terms of body and mind.
• Every man is also equally convinced that they are wiser than other men
• Men are primarily concerned with their own conservation, and they will subdue those who present a threat to this. The condition of man is war of everyone against everyone.

There are three main causes of quarrel and incline men to war:
  • Competition
These men seek their own gain through violence and dominance
  • Diffidence
These seek safety and their own defense
  • Glory
These are concerned with their reputation

Justice and injustice are not natural parts of the body or the mind; they are used to relate to other men in society.
There are also certain qualities that incline men to peace:
• The fear of death
• The desire for those things which allow a comfortable life

Chapter 14:
The right of nature is the right man has to preserve his own life. A law of nature is a rule by which man is not allowed to do things contrary to these rights of nature.
The first law of nature:
• To seek peace and follow it
Second law:
• Defend ourselves by all means necessary
All men should pursue peace, and use war when necessary to obtain it.
A contract is the transferring of right and can be signed expressively with words or by inference.
Covenants may be completed (performed) or forgiven (dissolved and retransferring of right)

Chapter 17:
It is not natural for men to work together to achieve a common good. If there is no higher power put in place, men will constantly be in a war-like state, relying on their strength to enforce contracts. A commonwealth must be enacted to defend from foreign invasion, injuries from one another, and secure a peaceful life.
The soverign power of control over the commonwealth may be obtained by force (commonwealth of acquisition) or voluntary submission (political commonwealth).

Chapter 18:
A political commonwealth (commonwealth of institution) is formed by a covenant between men subjecting themselves to the will of one (or a select few) man. The purpose of this institution is the peace and defense of the community.

Chapter 21:
A freeman is he who is not restricted from doing those things he is capable of doing. The liberty of a subject lies in those things the sovereign of the commonwealth allows them to do.
A man cannot be forced to confess a crime, as a man is not obliged to accuse himself by any covenant.